Substitute House Bill No. 6590, Public Act No. 23-142, is designed to provide protections for group and family child care homes by amending zoning and licensing regulations. The bill prevents zoning regulations from treating licensed family child care homes and group child care homes, located in residences, differently from single or multifamily dwellings. It requires municipalities to annually confirm their compliance with these regulations to the Office of Policy and Management. The bill also amends the general statutes to prohibit zoning regulations from imposing special permits or exceptions for the operation of these homes in residential zones. Furthermore, it revises the licensing process, including the addition of a notice on licensure forms about the penalties for false statements and the requirement for an inspection for lead poisoning prior to granting a license.

The bill includes several key insertions and deletions. It deletes the word "local" before "codes and ordinances," indicating that family child care homes must comply with all applicable codes and ordinances, not just local ones. New provisions are added for the licensing process, including the requirement for an inspection for lead poisoning, and the stipulation that municipalities cannot impose additional conditions on the operation of a licensed group child care home if it complies with all codes and ordinances. The bill mandates unannounced visits and inspections by the commissioner or their designee at least once a year, and inspections by local health directors every two years. It also introduces comprehensive background checks for prospective employees of child care centers or group child care homes. These changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-3j, 8-2
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute: 8-3j, 8-2
File No. 181: 8-3j, 8-2
PD Joint Favorable: 8-3j, 8-2
File No. 773: 8-3j, 8-2
Public Act No. 23-142: 8-3j, 8-2